The Onset of Fall & Halloween: What’s Happening in the Northeast? by Brenda Hornberger, Northeast Regional Director

It’s the time of year when everyone’s thoughts turn to cold weather, football, changing leaves, pumpkins, apples & Halloween. What’s different about this time of year in the country your student hails from... or is it possible they come from a warm clime and have never experienced the crisp air of fall?

Lots of opportunities abound for first time, memory making experiences:

  • Corn mazes
  • Apple picking
  • Making all things apple – sauce, pies, dumplings…yum...
  • Decorating with pumpkins, corn shocks, Indian corn & Chrysanthemums
  • Leaf peeping
  • Raking leaves
  • Going to an American football game – PeeWee, high school, college, or NFL (if you’re lucky enough!)

Halloween has passed, but here are some enjoyable moments shared by Northeast Region host families and their students:

  • Trick-or-Treating
  • Dressing in costume to greet lil’ ghosts & goblins at the front door
  • Carving the first-ever pumpkin
  • The YUCK of pumpkin GUTS
  • The Great Pumpkin Illumination
  • Haunted events – houses, hayrides & woods
  • Watching Halloween-themed classics

Thanks to all of our wonderful families across the nation for sharing your favorite fall traditions with the newest member of your family – your exchange student!